International News

KINGSTON, Jamaica,(MILLAT+APP/AFP) – Hurricane
Matthew powered toward densely populated Jamaica and Haiti on Sunday, unleashing winds that could fell homes and power lines and torrential rain that may trigger potentially deadly landslides and floods.
As the powerful storm churned north, dozens of people were trapped on
cays — tiny islands — off the coast of Jamaica’s main island, officials said.
In Jamaica and elsewhere, authorities scrambled to protect buildings
and shelter residents. Jamaicans waited in long lines in stores and at gas stations to stock up. Both airports in Haiti closed.
Jamaica started warning people to evacuate and prepare two days ago.
But some on the islands “said they would rather stay to protect their interests,” Minister of Local Government Desmond Mackenzie told reporters.
He said the Jamaican Defence Force tried to bring them back to the
mainland, but they refused gasoline for their boats and dug in.
The government was not prepared to risk the lives of first responders
as they have been warning people of the danger since Thursday, Mackenzie said.
“No turning back now. It is a matter of how long we have to wait this
out,” he said.
Briefly a furious Category 5 hurricane late Friday, Matthew remains a
still-dangerous Category 4. It was 225 miles (415 kilometers) south southeast of Kingston, with lashing top wind speeds of 145 miles per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said late Sunday.